diff --git a/netvm/qubes_core b/netvm/qubes_core
index d63fbe2..4be4f4c 100755
--- a/netvm/qubes_core
+++ b/netvm/qubes_core
@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@ start()
 
     # Setup gateway for all the VMs this netVM is serviceing...
     brctl addbr br0
+    brctl stp br0 off
+    brctl setfd br0 1
     gateway=$(/usr/bin/xenstore-read qubes_netvm_gateway)
     netmask=$(/usr/bin/xenstore-read qubes_netvm_netmask)
     network=$(/usr/bin/xenstore-read qubes_netvm_network)